I-League 2nd Div Journey Will Be Tough For Kalighat MS

Though in a comparatively easier group, Kalighat will have their task cut out against every opponents.

Kalighat Milan Sangha FC is an Indian football club from Kolkata, formed in the year 1944. But they remained amateur till 1989 before they qualified to the first division of the Calcutta Football League.

2008 was a milestone year for Kalighat as they gained promotion to the Calcutta Premier Division. They also won the 2011 edition of the All Airlines Gold Cup. Then in January 2012 they were accepted into the I-League 2nd Division.

However, in their debut I-League Div 2 season, they couldn't match the force of their rivals. Things improved a bit last year when they finished 4th in the group stage. So, this year they will try to make amends to those and will look to go deep into the tournament.

Arun Ghosh, the prolific coach, who is now the technical director of the club, sounds confident about their qualification to the big stage this term around. They do have a squad which is threatening. A big chunk of their players are representing Bengal in the ongoing Santosh Trophy.

The management too is really focused. They felt the practice ground in Dhanbad was not up to the mark. Hence, the team officials selected a pitch situated in Bokaro, where the soil condition, and other amenities are comparatively better. All those expenditure are borne solely by the club.

Strengths -

1. Arun Ghosh, the gaffer has been with the club for long time. So, he knows the ins and outs of the club.

2. Many of the players represented Bengal in the Santosh Trophy, where they have put up a splendid show. Their confidence level would be sky high in the I-League 2nd division.

Weaknesses -

1. Young team with not much experience and the lack of big stage exposure.

Expectations:With weak fan base and handful supporters, expectation from the club is not very high. But they fact that they are group against Royal Wahingdoh, PIFA Colaba, Garhwal FC, Green Valley and MP United in a comparatively easier group could see them in the top two. But for that to happen, the boys will have to come out of their cocoon and play their natural game

Our Prediction: The tournament is I-League 2nd Division and no team is coming unprepared. Teams who really have the potential to go to the top level have been scrutinized and allowed participation. Hence, each and every team in the group and not just Wahingdoh, will come heavy on Kalighat. Stakes are high that they might choked and get eliminated in the group stage itself.